Irish Czech and Slovak Society - Secretary's Report (AGM 2002)

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place in the Slovak Consular Mission in Dublin on Thursday 23 May 2002 at 8 pm.

The AGM was opened bi Society's president William Prasifka followed by welcome note by Slovak Charge d' Affair Mr. Marcel Pesko.

Society's Secretary Mr. Mark Griffin presented the agenda for the meeting:

Irish Czech and Slovak Society - AGM 2002 - Agenda

Address of Welcome
Reading the minutes of the 2001 AGM
Secretary's Report
Treasurer's Report
Election of Officers and Committee members
Membership fees
Addresses on behalf of the join patrons of the Society:

Other Business

Secretary's Report

Beside the traditional mailing list (with about 100 people on) the society managed to compile emailing list with about 100+ people. These mailing lists are our platform to communicate with our members and friends. There were 11 committee meetings since last AGM. The Society organized following events:

Annual Barbecue at the Slovak Embassy on 14 July 2002
Film evening - Samotari (Loners) - in UCD on 26 July 2002
We participated in the Seminar "Doing Business in the Czech Republic" organized by the Czech Embassy in Chief O'Neils Hotel, Smithfield, on 11th September 2001
Lecture - Why Pope John Paul II expressed his regret about death of reformator Jan Hus in 1415 by Josef Stuchly in Miltown Park on 15th September 2001
We were partner of the Czech Theatre "Miloco" Tour in Ireland with the play "Encyklopedie myrtvych" (Encyclopaedia of the Dead) which took place in The Crypt Theatre, Dublin Castle from the 4th to the 8th December 2001
Annual Christmas Party in the Residence of the Czech Ambassador Mr. Petr Kolar in Foxrock on 9th December 2001
Poetry Evening, where Mark Griffin and Veronika Kotatkova presented their poetry. Mrs. Vera Capkova gave as presentation of Czech romantic poet Karel Hynek Macha, which was followed by film Kytice (Wild Flowers) by F. A. Brabec. The evening took place at the Czech Embassy on 24th January 2002
International Food Festival - in Greystones on 2nd February 2002
Film evening - Sekal Has To Die (Je treba zabit Sekala) in the Czech Embassy on 6th March 2002
Film evening - Out of The City (Cesta z mesta) by Tomas Vorel in UCD on 11th April 2002
Annual Drechsler Lecture - Benes's Decrees in UCD on 16 May 2002

These events would not be possible without the great support of both embassies and their staff as well as without generous help of Society's committee members and all our members and friend which took part in the events. It has been, probably, the most active year in the Society's history.

Treasurer's Report

The report could be obtained from the Society's treasurer Jindrich Dolezal. The conclusion is, that we spent about Euro 560 more than we earned this year. The reason for the deficit was high number of events, which we organized and drop in membership fees collected from members. Jindrich suggested a few ways of funding the budget in order to avoid financial difficulties in coming year.

Committee Election

There are two changes in the committee. Veronika Samlova left the committee, Mark Griffin retired from his secretary post to become committee member and Tomas Kuchta (myself) was elected secretary. Following is new committee:

William Prasifka - President
Maura Gallagher - Vice President
Tomas Kuchta - Secretary
Jindrich Dolezal - Treasurer
Committee:
Fred O'Callaghan
Kim Ryder
Mark Griffin
Mary Clinton
Patrick Devine
Vera Capkova

Membership Fees

The issue of membership fees surely deserved to be part of AGM 's agenda from two very important reasons. The most important one is, that it reflects number of members directly interested in everyday business of the society. Members are our base. That is where we came from, where we rise from and where we could potentially fail to exist. The second very important factor is financial one. Members directly support, through their contributions, the society's activities.

As about solution of this serious problem, many solutions were suggested including sanctions, penalties, imprisonment even creating Society's revenue police was also mentioned.

Acting treasurer Jindrich Dolezal proposed to modify our subscription, so we could still quote nice figures in EURO. By unanimous vote the subscriptions were changed as follows:

Euro15.00    individual membership
Euro25.00    family membership
Euro10.00    students, retired
Euro60.00    corporate
Euro10.00    corporate non profit, NGO

We regret any inconvenience and we deny any responsibility for the Euro changeover.

Address by HE Czech Ambassador Petr Kolar

Our patron clearly apprised the Society headed our president Mr. William Prasifka. However "Lot done, more to do (TM)" was quoted. So, there is more to be done ahead in the future by the community. Mr. Ambassador pointed out The International Food Fair in Greystones early this year as very good example of very successful event, when we managed to get wide audience. Since the last AGM there was many important events happening here as well as in Czech Republic like: Nice Treaty referenda, Election in Ireland and Czechia, September 11, Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited the Czech Republic, Investment lunch with Mr. Martin Jahn (the head of Czech Invest), the trade exchange in between the two countries increased, etc. So, relationship of both countries are very good. Mr. Kolar mentioned a good few number of activities organized by jointly the Embassy and the Society which promoted the Czech Republic here in Ireland. He them wished the best to Slovak Charges D'Affaires Mr. Marcel Pesko who is leaving Ireland shortly. He than appealed to present members and society friends to support the next referenda about the Nice Treaty. He finished his address by quoting, that "We (understand committee) have vision with purpose (TM)".

Address by Slovak Charges D'Affaires Mr. Marcel Pesko

Mr. Pesko aprized the drive of the committee and Society's president Bill Prasifka. He then summarized the changes happening in the Slovak Consular mission mainly departure of Milam Kysel, very active member of the community, his replacement by the first Slovak Ambassador to Ireland Mr. Vladimir Halgas, coming (in September) election in Slovakia, Slovak progress in EU and NATO enlargement negotiations, investment and tourist seminar. There will be totally new staff in the Slovak Embassy in Dublin after Marcel Pesko departure in late June and Mrs. Ingrid Pomsarova replacement in middle of this summer. He also stressed importancy of events like the International Food Fair in Greystones in promoting the image of Slovak culture and traditions here in Ireland. He suggested using of such events for fund raising purposes which would allow the Society to sponsor more cultural activities. He then summarized other Slovak achievements during the time from the last AGM like improving the relationship in between Slovakia and Ireland as well as the relations between Slovakia and Czech Republic, visit of Slovak members of government to Ireland and recent victory of Slovaks in Ice Hockey world Championship. At the end of his address he stressed that he will miss the community here as well as Ireland after his return to Bratislava.

Other Business

Bill Prasifka mentioned the coming Nice Treaty referenda as a good opportunity to promote Czech Republic and Slovakia in Ireland and bring more of our culture to the Irish people.
Mark Griffin nominated Elizabeth McElhinney as a honorary member for her great contribution to the Society. She was the Society's Treasurer since the beginning of the society until Jindrich to over the post last year.
Society gave to departing Slovak Charges D'Affaires present - a vasemade by Galway Crystal.